Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has made a high-profile return to football’s global stage after being named Deputy Chairperson of FIFA’s Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee.
The influential body oversees the organisation and development of the world’s biggest football tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, FIFA U-20 World Cup, FIFA U-17 World Cup, Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, FIFA Futsal World Cup, and the FIFA Arab Cup.
The committee is chaired by Robert Harrison of Paraguay, with Sheikh Hamad Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar serving as FIFA Council Delegate. Its membership includes senior football figures from around the globe, stretching from Brazil, England, and Portugal to Tunisia, Senegal, South Africa, and Vietnam.
Pinnick’s inclusion is seen as a significant boost for Africa, ensuring the continent has a stronger voice in shaping tournament formats, qualification slots, and even future host nation selections.
His appointment comes two years after narrowly losing his seat in the 2023 FIFA Council re-election. Despite that setback, Pinnick has maintained strong influence within global football governance, previously serving on both FIFA and CAF committees where he pushed reforms and advocated for Africa’s greater representation.
Analysts believe his new position will allow him to lobby for changes that directly benefit African nations, particularly in areas of World Cup expansion, fairer qualification pathways, and hosting opportunities.
Members of the FIFA Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee include:
- Sheikh Hamad Khalifa Al Thani (Qatar) – FIFA Council Delegate
- Robert Harrison (Paraguay) – Chairperson
- Amaju Pinnick (Nigeria) – Deputy Chairperson
- Julio Avellar (Brazil)
- Mark Bullingham (England)
- Jihad El Chohof (Lebanon)
- Abdoulaye Fall (Senegal)
- Wayne Forde (Guyana)
- Hussein Jenayah (Tunisia)
- Danny Jordaan (South Africa)
- Song Kai (China)
- Marian Kustic (Croatia)
- Osaei Maroto (Costa Rica)
- David Mujiri (Georgia)
- Luciano Nakis (Argentina)
- Paul Phillipp (Luxembourg)
- Pedro Proenca (Portugal)
- Mehdi Taj (IR Iran)
- Giles Tavergeux (New Zealand)
- Quac Tuan Tran (Vietnam)
With this appointment, Pinnick cements his place among football’s global power brokers, reinforcing Nigeria’s and Africa’s influence in the sport’s biggest decisions for the next four years.
